Police refuse R10,000 bribe, arrest suspect linked to illicit cigarettes and vehicle fraud
A 28-year-old man accused of attempting to bribe police officers with R10,000 during an investigation into illicit cigarettes and tampered vehicle documents has appeared before the Senwabarwana Magistrate’s Court.
The suspect, Thabane Makane, faces charges of bribery and fraud and was remanded in police custody until Wednesday, January 21, for a formal bail application.
According to Limpopo police spokesperson Hlulani Mashaba, Makane’s arrest followed investigations into an abandoned vehicle found in Alldays on December 23, 2025.
“Police had attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle travelling at high speed. The suspects fled and abandoned the vehicle before running into nearby bushes,” Mashaba said.
He said a search of the vehicle led to the seizure of boxes of illicit cigarettes with an estimated street value of R233,260.
Mashaba said the suspect was later summoned to a police station for further questioning. During an interview conducted on Tuesday, January 13, by members of the investigation team, Makane allegedly attempted to bribe the officers.
“During the interrogation, the suspect pulled out a plastic rubber band containing R10,000 and attempted to bribe the officers,” Mashaba said. “The officers refused the bribe and immediately placed him under arrest.”
Further investigations revealed that the vehicle documents linked to the abandoned vehicle had been tampered with, resulting in an additional fraud charge.
Mashaba said the investigation was continuing.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News